Demodicosis in red-handed tamarins (Saguinus midas).

Two nonrelated but paired red-handed tamarins (Saguinus midas) presented with diffuse, multifocal, raised, nonpruritic, hyperkeratotic lesions on the appendages and face. Skin biopsies identified acarids and skin scrapings confirmed demodex-like mites. The animals were treated with ivermectin, at the endoparasite dose, which initially resulted in resolution of clinical signs; however, signs recurred after numerous treatments. After four treatments with amitraz dips, demodicosis lesions resolved.

Pathology of fatal West Nile virus infections in native and exotic birds during the 1999 outbreak in New York City, New York.

West Nile fever caused fatal disease in humans, horses, and birds in the northeastern United States during 1999. We studied birds from two wildlife facilities in New York City, New York, that died or were euthanatized and were suspected to have West Nile virus infections. Using standard histologic and ultrastructural methods, virus isolation, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, we identified West Nile virus as the cause of clinical disease, severe pathologic changes, and death in 27 birds representing eight orders and 14 species. Virus was detected in 23/26 brains (88%), 24/ 25 hearts (96%), 15/18 spleens (83%), 14/20 livers (70%), 20/20 kidneys (100%), 10/13 adrenals (77%), 13/ 14 intestines (93%), 10/12 pancreata (83%), 5/12 lungs (42%), and 4/8 ovaries (50%) by one or more methods. Cellular targets included neurons and glial cells in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral ganglia; myocardial fibers; macrophages and blood monocytes; renal tubular epithelium; adrenal cortical cells; pancreatic acinar cells and islet cells; intestinal crypt epithelium; oocytes; and fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. Purkinje cells were especially targeted, except in crows and magpies. Gross hemorrhage of the brain, splenomegaly, meningoencephalitis, and myocarditis were the most prominent lesions. Immunohistochemistry was an efficient and reliable method for identifying infected cases, but the polyclonal antibody cross-reacted with St. Louis encephalitis virus and other flaviviruses. In contrast, the in situ hybridization probe pWNV-E (WN-USAMRIID99) reacted only with West Nile virus. These methods should aid diagnosticians faced with the emergence of West Nile virus in the United States.

Immobilization of babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) with xylazine and tiletamine/zolazepam and reversal with yohimbine and flumazenil.

Twelve babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) (four females/eight males) were immobilized 30 times during a 4-yr interval. Significantly higher premedication and immobilizing doses were needed for females than for males (P < 0.05). An i.m. preanesthetic xylazine dose of 1.88 +/- 0.37 mg/kg (range = 1.20-2.12 mg/kg) was used for females and 1.22 +/- 0.16 mg/kg (range = 0.82-1.43 mg/kg) for males. After xylazine, the animals were induced with i.m. tiletamine/zolazepam; females received 2.20 +/- 0.47 mg/kg (range = 1.78-3.33 mg/kg) and males received 1.71 +/- 0.34 mg/kg (range = 1.08-2.05 mg/kg). Anesthesia was reversed with yohimbine (0.14 +/- 0.03 mg/kg; range = 0.07-0.20 mg/kg) and flumazenil (1 mg flumazenil/20 mg zolazepam) either i.m. or i.v. This anesthetic combination produced smooth induction, good relaxation, and sufficient immobilization to perform routine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (venipuncture, hoof and tusk trims, transportation, radiographs, ultrasound examination, weight determinations, and skin biopsies). Supplemental ketamine HCl or isoflurane was administered to two animals to effectively deepen or prolong the anesthetic plane, with no resultant adverse effects.

Brodifacoum toxicity and treatment in a white-winged wood duck (Cairina scutulata).

A captive white-winged wood duck (Cairina scutulata) with bilateral epistaxis and anemia (packed cell volume = 16%) was treated with injectable and oral vitamin K1 and transfused with 40 ml whole blood. Brodifacoum was detected in blood at 0.002 ppm. The bird made an uneventful recovery. This report illustrates the risk of anticoagulant pest control products in a zoological setting.

Epidural fentanyl produces labor analgesia by a spinal mechanism.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine if epidural fentanyl produces analgesia in laboring patients by a primary spinal or supraspinal action. METHODS: Fifty-four parturients were randomized to receive epidural 0.125% bupivacaine plus one of three treatments: epidural saline-intravenous saline, epidural fentanyl (20 microg/h)-intravenous saline, or epidural saline-intravenous fentanyl (20 microg/h). The study treatments were administered by continuous infusion, whereas epidural bupivacaine use was patient controlled. RESULTS: Epidural bupivacaine use was significantly reduced by epidural (11.5+/-4.6 ml/h) but not by intravenous fentanyl (15.9+/-4.5 ml/h) compared with saline control (16+/-5.9 ml/ h). Analgesia characteristics and side effects were similar among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose epidural infusions of fentanyl produce labor analgesia by a primary spinal action.

Exotic pet medicine I. Amphibians.

This article presents information on the basic taxonomy, biology, medicine, surgery, and anesthesia of amphibians. Included for quick reference are tables listing commonly kept amphibians, hormones for induction of reproduction, diseases, and clinical signs, commonly used pharmaceuticals and chemicals, nutritional diseases, and parasites.

Advances in reproduction in captive, female great apes: Value of biotechniques.

Most of the progress in female great ape reproduction has focused on monitoring ovarian and endocrine activity. Perhaps of more importance has been the gradually evolving interest and willingness to consider biotechnology as a potential, viable approach for enhancing reproductive performance. Artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and embryo transfer offer an array of possibilities for combating infertility and understanding the fundamental differences and similarities among great ape species. Multidisciplinary efforts have assessed reproductive competence, from the simple (i.e., perineal tumescence and urinary occult blood in chimpanzees) to the complex (i.e., ovum recovery and IVF following exogenous hormone treatment in chimpanzees and gorillas). Hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy have been used to determine uterotubal patency and to identify pathological conditions in gorillas. Assays for steroid metabolites in serial urine samples, to permit accurate assessments of ovarian cyclicity, have been developed and validated for all great apes species. Stimulation of follicular recruitment and maturation has been achieved following administration of clomiphene citrate (chimpanzees and gorillas) and human menopausal gonadotropin (gorillas). Clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin have been used to regulate ovulation for the AI of chimpanzees. Pregnancies have resulted in chimpanzees and gorillas following AI using fresh and cryopreserved/thawed semen; however, conception rates vary. Embryos have been nonsurgically recovered from chimpanzees after timed matings and follicular oocytes have been recovered from chimpanzees and gorillas by transabdominal laparoscopy after exogenous hormone treatment. To date, although in vivo matured ova have been fertilized in vitro using homologous sperm in chimpanzees and gorillas, no great ape offspring have been born from transferred embryos produced by in vitro or in vivo fertilization. A review of the many remaining problems suggests the need for more basic studies of ovulation induction, ovum and sperm requirements in vivo and in vitro, and the effects of animal manipulation (anesthesia, surgery, and other stressors) on the ability of the female to ovulate and sustain pregnancy. Especially important are more assessments to identify reproductively competent individuals so that these females can be placed with breeding males while subfertile or infertile animals are designated for intensive artificial breeding research.

Reproductive anatomy, manipulation of ovarian activity and non-surgical embryo recovery in suni (Neotragus moschatus zuluensis).

Marked disparity in the uterine horn dimensions and relative degrees of caruncle development in suni suggested that exclusive or predominant dextral implantation occurs in association with bilateral ovulatory activity. Daily urinary measurements of pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide revealed an oestrous cycle of approximately 21 days in length. Ovarian activity was controlled for synchronization of oestrus by using progestagen-impregnated intravaginal sponges and multiple ovulations were induced by using exogenous gonadotrophin therapy. An effective transcervical uterine catheterization technique was developed for the non-surgical collection of embryos. The efficiency of embryo recovery performed 5 days after sponge removal was 50.0%.

Pronucleus formation following in vitro fertilization of oocytes recovered from a gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) with unilateral endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the ovary.

A 33-year-old, nonreproductive female gorilla was scheduled for ovariohysterectomy after diagnosing endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the right ovary; the contralateral ovary appeared small and inactive. Follicular recruitment and maturation were stimulated on the left ovary using human menopausal gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin therapy. Three oocytes were recovered and inseminated using a thawed epididymal semen sample collected postmortem and cryopreserved. At 18 h postinsemination, one ovum was fertilized, the second showed evidence of polyspermia, and the third was unfertilized; no further embryonic development was observed. These results demonstrate that viable oocytes can be salvaged from a nonreproductive gorilla using a human exogenous gonadotropin treatment protocol and fertilized in vitro using cryopreserved/thawed epididymal gorilla semen.

Avian pox infection, aspergillosis and renal trematodiasis in a Royal tern.

Poxvirus infection and aspergillosis were diagnosed in a Royal tern (Thalasseus maximus) based on gross and microscopic lesions. This represents the first known report of avian pox in a tern. Renal trematodiasis, caused by a species of Renicola also is described.